After Katrina, we "lost" our Charity Hospital and VA Hospital due to flooding and mold damage. The State and Federal gov'ts decided to build a new complex incorporating both facilities on one site. Part of the process involved demolishing or relocating buildings and houses. This is the last building on the site that is to be moved. It's not far from where I have to be tomorrow, so if time allows I will swing by and take a look.
McDonough No. 11 was built in 1879. The state has contracted with Orleans Shoring to move the building at a cost of about $320,000. The firm has detached the top two floors of the building from its foundation and first floor, and is moving that upper portion to a temporary holding parcel on the edge of the UMC (University Medical Center) footprint.
Between 10 a.m. and noon, the building had moved about 100 yards from its original location.
Once the first leg of the move is completed, the state facilities office will hire a structural engineer, independent of Orleans Shoring, to determine whether the building remains structurally sound enough to be moved a second time and re-established on a new foundation and first floor. (I don't know why they couldn't determine this before the move, but I can understand wanting to know before any foundation and first floor is built.)